Boat cover system including flexible portions

ABSTRACT

A cover system for enclosing an opening on a boat is disclosed. The cover system includes at least one body portion. A plurality of fasteners are attached to the at least one body portion for attaching the cover system to the boat. At least one flexible portion is attached to the body portion. The flexible portion is operable to stretch when the fasteners are attached to the boat to enclose the opening.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a Non-Provisional Application that relies for priority on Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/855,229, filed on Oct. 30, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to boat covers and enclosures.

2. Description of the Related Art

Boat covers are utilized to prevent the intrusion of water into the interior of a boat and are well known. Such boat covers are typically formed from a canvas material and are notoriously difficult to attach to the boat, as canvas is not a particularly flexible material and the material must be taut in order to shed water and conform to the contours of the boat body to provide a desired smooth appearance.

In the prior art, it is common for a boat to include a plurality of male portions of snap fasteners at the periphery of the area to be covered by the boat cover. At the windshield of the boat, the male portions of the snap fasteners typically are affixed at regular intervals along the top rail of the windshield. Along other structures, such as along a radar arch, which typically extends above the passenger area of the boat, the male portions of the snap fasteners are affixed directly to the deck.

The boat cover has attached to it the female portions of snap fasteners. When the cover is properly positioned on the boat, the male and female portions of the snap fasteners are in register with one another so that they may be connected to one another, thereby affixing the boat cover to the boat.

Due to the relative inflexibility of canvas materials, it is not uncommon for a boat owner to have difficult matching the male and female portions of the snap fasteners to one another without mismatching at least one of the plurality of fasteners to one another. This may lead to some frustration as the boat cover may need to be partially removed in order for the snaps to be realigned and attached to one another.

Also, it is not uncommon for covers to pucker or appear wavy, either initially or as the cover ages. This is caused by the fixed location of the fasteners, the curvature of the edges to which the cover is attached, and the general rigidity of the canvas material.

The inclusion of a window in the cover adds to these problems. As might be appreciated, the window is a relatively inflexible material. When a window is included in the cover, problems with installation of the cover are exacerbated. The window also creates additional opportunities for a wavy or puckered appearance for the cover.

These issues with the prior art have created a need for an adaptable or compliant boat cover.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a cover system that includes at least one body portion attached to at least one flexible portion for enclosing an opening on a boat. The body portion may be made of canvas or a suitable alternative. The flexible portion may be made from a material such as neoprene. As discussed above, in a typical example, a plurality of fasteners is attached to the body portion for securing the cover system to the boat.

The cover system in accordance with the present invention allows flexibility in covering boats. In addition, the cover system advantageously allows for easy installation and removal of the canvas cover from the boat.

The cover system of the present invention also compensates for contraction and expansion of canvas body portions resulting from temperature changes.

In addition, the cover system compensates for variations in the production of canvas or the production of one boat to the next.

Moreover, the cover system of the present invention increases fit tolerances while maintaining a custom look.

In addition, the cover system compensates for manufacturing variations of the parts receiving canvas and allows the canvas or clear vinyl parts to form around corners with a smooth line.

The cover system in accordance with the present invention creates a custom look canvas system that fits every time with an increased tolerance for errors.

The cover system of the present invention also may be manufactured more rapidly, since the requirement for precise sizes and tolerances is not required.

Finally, the cover system in accordance with the present invention will advantageously reduce returns to the manufacturer that are attributed to poor installation and/or ill fitting canvas. As should be appreciated, this saves labor time formerly required to rework parts.

The present invention also reduces or eliminates the need for creating custom canvas covers, since the covers have greater adaptability for boats within a manufacturing line.

Other advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the discussion that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of selected embodiments, when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a boat cover system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a boat cover system in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a plan view of another alternative embodiment of a boat cover system in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

Referring now FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a boat canvas or cover system in accordance with the present invention is indicated generally at 10. The cover system 10 is adapted to be attached to an upper portion of a vehicle, such as a boat (not shown) to releasably enclose an opening on the boat such as, but not limited to, a cockpit.

The cover system 10 includes a body portion 12 formed from any suitable cover material including, but not limited to, canvas, tarpaulin, vinyl or the like. The cover material is contemplated to be water resistant or waterproof. The body portion 12 may include portions of which are clear and portions of which are opaque. Alternatively, the entire body portion 12 may be clear or opaque, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Suitable fasteners 14 may be disposed on a peripheral edge of the body portion 12 in order to attach the cover system 10 to the hull or body (not shown) of the boat, such as by engaging with corresponding fasteners (not shown) on the boat hull. As should be appreciated by those skilled in the art, while the fasteners 14 are illustrated at the bottom edge of the body portion 12 in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fasteners 14 may be disposed about the periphery of the body portion 12 without departing from the invention. FIG. 3 illustrates one example of this contemplated embodiment.

Attached to another peripheral edge of the body portion 12 is a first edge 16 a of a “fit-strip” or flexible portion 16. The flexible portion 16 is formed from a flexible, resilient and water resistant or waterproof material such as, but not limited to, neoprene or the like. It is contemplated that the flexible portion 16 will correspond in length or in width to the body portion 12. Alternatively, as should become apparent from the discussion that follows, the flexible portion 16 need not be commensurate in size with either the length or width of the body portion 12 while remaining within the scope of the present invention.

A second edge 16 b of the flexible portion 16 opposite to the first edge 16 a includes a first half 18 a of a zipper member 18. A second half 18 b of the zipper member is attached to a first edge 20 a of a second flexible portion 20. The flexible portion 20 may be formed from a flexible, resilient and water resistant or waterproof material such as, but not limited to, neoprene or the like and is contemplated to have a predetermined width with respect to the body portion 12. A second edge 20 b of the flexible portion 20 is attachable to a portion 22 of the boat, such as a top or a radar arch.

In an alternative contemplated embodiment, the flexible potion 20 may be constructed from canvas, tarpaulin, or an equivalent. In this contemplated embodiment, therefore, only the flexible portion 16 is made from a material such as neoprene or the like.

The presence of the flexible portions 16 and 20 of the cover system 10 advantageously allows for slight variations in fit and positioning when the cover system 10 is attached to or removed from the boat and the boat top 22, enabling a user of the cover system 10 to quickly and easily attach the system 10 to the boat and enclose the opening.

In one contemplated embodiment, the flexible portion 20 is attached permanently to the boat top 22. As a result, the flexible portion 20 provides a base from which the cover system 10 may be stretched to enable the fasteners 14 to be attached to the boat hull in an easier and more efficient manner.

In another contemplated embodiment, the flexible portion 20 also is removable from the boat top 22 so that the flexible portion 20 is not visible when the body portion 12 has been removed.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an alternative embodiment of a cover system in accordance with the present invention is indicated generally at 30.

In this embodiment, the cover system 30 is adapted to be attached to an upper portion of a vehicle, such as a boat (not shown) to releasably enclose an opening on the boat such as, but not limited to, a cockpit. The cover system 30 includes a body portion 32 formed from any suitable cover material including, but not limited to, canvas, tarpaulin, vinyl or the like. The cover material is contemplated to be water resistant or waterproof.

The body portion 32 may include portions of which are clear (or transparent) and portions of which are opaque, or the entire body portion 32 may be clear or opaque, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Suitable fasteners 34 may be disposed on a peripheral edge of the body portion 32 in order to attach the cover system 30 to the hull or body (not shown) of the boat, such as by engaging with corresponding fasteners (not shown) on the boat hull. While the fasteners 34 are illustrated along a bottom edge of the body portion 32, the fasteners 34 may also be disposed along one or more of the top edge, the left side edge, or the right side edge, as required for the particular installation.

Attached to another peripheral edge of the body portion 32 is a first edge 36 a of a “fit-strip” or flexible portion 36. The flexible portion 36 is formed from a flexible, resilient and water resistant or waterproof material such as, but not limited to, neoprene or the like. The flexible portion 36 is contemplated to have a predetermined width with respect to the body portion 32. A second edge 36 b of the flexible portion 36 opposite the first edge 36 a is attached to a flange portion 38 a of a keder welt member 38, such as by stitching or the like. The keder welt member 38 includes a header portion 38 b extending from the flange portion 38 a that is adapted to be placed into a track (not shown) on a portion of the boat, such as a boat top or a windshield header track.

The presence of the flexible portions 36 of the cover system 30 advantageously allows for slight variations in fit and positioning when the cover system 30 is attached to or removed from the boat and the boat top, enabling a user of the cover system 30 to quickly and easily attach the system 30 to the boat and enclose the opening. As the flexible portion 36 is attached permanently to the keder welt 38, which is in turn placed in a track on the boat, the flexible portion 36 provides a base from which the cover system 30 may be stretched to enable the fasteners 34 to be attached to the boat hull in an easier and more efficient manner.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of a cover system in accordance with the present invention is indicated generally at 50.

The cover system 50 is adapted to be attached to an upper portion of a vehicle, such as a boat (not shown) to releasably enclose an opening on the boat such as, but not limited to, a cockpit. The cover system 50 includes a first body portion 52 and a second body portion 54 formed from any suitable cover material including, but not limited to, canvas, tarpaulin, vinyl or the like. The cover material is contemplated to be water resistant or waterproof. The body portions 52 and 54 may include portions of which are clear and portions of which are opaque, or the entire body portion 52 or 54 may be clear or opaque, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The body portions 52 and 54 are each attached to a flexible portion 56. The flexible portion 56 is formed from a flexible, resilient and water resistant or waterproof material such as, but not limited to, neoprene or the like. The flexible portion 56 is contemplated to have a predetermined width with respect to the body portions 52 and 54. Suitable fasteners 58 may be disposed on a peripheral edge of the body portions 52 and 54 in order to attach the cover system 50 to the hull or body (not shown) of the boat, such as by engaging with corresponding fasteners (not shown) on the boat hull.

The presence of the flexible portion 56 of the cover system 50 advantageously allows for slight variations in fit and positioning when the cover system 50 is attached to or removed from the boat, boat hull, or the boat top, enabling a user of the cover system 50 to quickly and easily attach the system 50 to the boat and enclose the opening. In this regard, it is contemplated that one of the peripheral edges of one of the body portions 52 and 54 is attachable to the boat. With one edge attached, the flexible portion 56 allows the cover system 50 to be stretched to enable the fasteners 58 to be attached to the boat hull in an easier and more efficient manner.

The cover system 10, 30, or 50 in accordance with the present invention allows flexibility in the cover system systems. The cover system 10, 30, or 50 advantageously allows for easy put up and take down of canvas, and compensates for contraction and expansion of canvas body portions 12, 32, 52, or 54 resulting from temperature changes, among other environmental factors. In addition, the cover system 10, 30, 50 provides for easier installation, compensates for any variation in the production of canvas, and increases fit tolerances while maintaining a custom look. Furthermore, the cover system 10, 30, or 50 compensates for manufacturing variations of the parts receiving canvas and allows the canvas or clear vinyl parts to form around comers with a smooth line.

The cover system 10, 30, or 50 in accordance with the present invention creates a custom look canvas system that fits every time with an increased tolerance for errors and reducing production delays resulting from missing canvas. The cover system 10, 30, or 50 in accordance with the present invention will advantageously reduce returns that are a result of poor installation and ill fitting canvas. This will save labor time required to rework parts, and eliminate the need for custom canvas.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent one or more embodiments thereof. However, it should be noted that the invention may be practiced in ways other than those specifically illustrated and described without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate the equivalents of the invention that are encompassed by the claims appended hereto. 

1. A cover system for enclosing an opening on a boat, comprising: at least one body portion; a plurality of fasteners attached to the at least one body portion for attaching the cover system to the boat; and at least one flexible portion attached to the at least one body portion, the at least one flexible portion operable to stretch when the fasteners are attached to the boat to enclose the opening.
 2. The cover system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one flexible portion is attached to a zipper member.
 3. The cover system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one flexible portion is attached to a keder welt member.
 4. The cover system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one body portion is a pair of body portions.
 5. The cover system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one flexible portion is a pair of flexible portions.
 6. The cover system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one body portion is formed from a canvas material.
 7. The cover system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one flexible portion is formed from a neoprene material.
 8. A boat cover for enclosing an opening on a boat, comprising: a body portion defining a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side edge, and a right side edge; a flexible material incorporated into the body portion adjacent to the top edge; fasteners disposed along one at least one edge of the body portion to secure the body portion to the boat; and a window of transparent material incorporated in the body portion between the flexible material and the bottom edge.
 9. The cover of claim 8, further comprising: fasteners along the left side edge, the right side edge, and the bottom edge to secure the body portion to the boat.
 10. The cover of claim 9, wherein the fasteners along the bottom edge are to secure the body portion to a windshield of the boat.
 11. The cover of claim 9, wherein the fasteners along the left and right side edges are to secure the cover to a deck of the boat.
 12. The cover of claim 8, wherein the body portion is a flexible canvas material.
 13. The cover of claim 8, wherein the flexible material is neoprene. 